macOS · local dev

For product builders

Every localhost, one duck.
Not twelve messy Terminal tabs.

Stop juggling a dozen Terminal tabs. Duck Launcher starts, stops, and logs every dev server from a single macOS app — grid or list, dev and prod profiles, live CPU and memory.

Download for Mac

v0.1.3 · 13 MB · Apple Silicon · DuckLauncher.0.1.3.dmg

duck launcher · start · stop · logs · dev & prod profiles · cursor stop-hook

// 01 — built for power developers

Smarter dev controls you will actually use every day

Duck Launcher goes beyond simple start and stop. It monitors system health, eliminates port conflicts, and reclaims gigabytes of hidden cache.

Proactive Alerting

Instant alerts when dev servers spike CPU

Runaway Vite build loops, webpack watcher hangs, or memory leaks won't silently cook your Mac's battery. Duck Launcher continuously monitors background processes and sends native macOS notifications the moment an app exceeds CPU limits.

Real-time per-app CPU & memory threshold detection
Native macOS notification banners with exact usage percentages
Quick action to inspect logs or terminate rogue processes immediately

macOS Notificationlive alert

Duck Launcher High CPU alert notification on macOS

Port Range Managementauto-assign

Duck Launcher Port Range & Automatic Port Allocation without duplication

Zero Port Collisions

Automatic port allocation with zero conflicts

Say goodbye to EADDRINUSE errors when running multiple dev servers simultaneously. Define your preferred port range (e.g. 30000–39999), and Duck Launcher auto-assigns guaranteed unique ports to every project.

Configurable port range with custom reserved port exclusions
Smart auto-assignment on new project discovery & onboarding
One-click "Allocate all" to reassign clean sequential ports fleet-wide

Disk Reclamation

Nuke gigabytes of hidden dev cache with one click

Framework caches in .next, .turbo, and node_modules silently balloon to tens of gigabytes. Duck Launcher measures exact folder sizes, stops running processes safely, and wipes out bloated dev caches in seconds.

Accurate disk size breakdown per cache folder (.next, node_modules, etc.)
Graceful automatic process stoppage prior to deletion
Granular directory selection or instant full project cache reset

Dev Cache Cleaner5.5 GB reclaimable

Duck Launcher Clear Dev Cache modal showing .next and node_modules sizes

// 02 — built for your stack

Everything your local apps need in one menu bar

Duck Launcher treats your Mac like a local fleet: register once, switch profiles, tail logs, and automate builds without switching desktop windows.

Menu bar control center

Always one click away in your macOS tray. View all registered services — running, stopped, or building — with search, filtering, and custom group ordering.

tray · dockless · keyboard shortcut

Dev & prod profiles in one row

Switch between rapid dev mode (with HMR) and a production build preview with a single toggle. No more editing package scripts or forgetting port collisions.

profile: dev (3000) | prod (4000)

Live CPU & memory monitoring

Spot runaway dev servers, memory leaks, or hung compilers before your laptop fans take off. Real-time per-process metrics right in the popover.

cpu: 14.2% · mem: 182 MB · port: :3000

Clean log streaming & export

Tail logs inline or expand into a dedicated window. Copy clean formatted logs with environment and port context directly for debugging or sharing.

stdout | stderr · strip ansi · copy report

Monorepo & multi-app scan

Point Duck Launcher at a folder root to detect npm, pnpm, yarn, or bun scripts across packages. Onboard 10+ services in under 30 seconds.

scan ~/Projects/monorepo --detect-scripts

Cursor agent stop-hook loop

Close the loop on AI coding. When a Cursor agent session completes, Duck Launcher automatically builds, restarts your prod preview, and notifies you.

hook: onAgentStop -> build -> restart -> notify

// 03 — visual views

Two layouts, zero terminal clutter

Toggle between a compact status list and a spacious desktop grid. Organize services by client, group, or priority.

Compact List Mode

dev & prod toggles · ports

Duck Launcher List View — multiple localhost apps with dev/prod toggle and resource indicators

Dense row controls designed for keyboard efficiency. Quickly toggle dev/prod profiles, open ports, view CPU/RAM usage, and stream logs.

Card Grid Mode

visual status · metrics

Duck Launcher Grid View — card grid with CPU gauges and status badges

Card view with at-a-glance health metrics. Group projects by repository or team, drag to reorder, and start or stop full stacks.

// 04 — workflow

From setup to automated workflow in four steps

Built for developers who want a single reliable control plane for their local machine without Docker complexity.

01
Add or scan your projects
Drop in a project directory or bulk-scan a monorepo. Duck Launcher detects package manager scripts, open ports, and frameworks automatically.
02
Start, stop, and switch profiles
Run individual apps or entire groups with one click. Toggle between dev hot-reloading and production preview servers on dedicated ports.
03
Monitor health and inspect logs
Check live CPU and memory usage at a glance. Stream logs in real-time, search for errors, and open localhost URLs directly in your default browser.
04
Automate with Cursor agent hooks
Enable the stop hook so every time Cursor's AI agent finishes coding, Duck Launcher automatically triggers a rebuild and restarts the preview.

Ready when you are

One duck for every local app on your Mac

Download the notarized macOS app, drag it into Applications, and stop juggling terminal tabs for good.